Surfactant and Adhesive Formulations from Alkaline Biomass Extracts

• Main Author: Baxter, Matthew
• Other Authors: Acosta, Edgar
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Surfactants; Adhesives; Biomass; Alkaline Extract; 0542
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/42384

This work studies the ability to produce effective surfactant and adhesive formulations using surface active biological material extracted from different biomass sources using alkaline extraction methods. Two urban waste biomass sources were used to produce surfactants, Return Activated Sludge (RAS), and solid Urban Refuse (UR). The third biomass source investigated was isolated mustard protein (MP). RAS and MP extracts were investigated for adhesive production. The results indicate that extracts from the waste biomass sources, RAS and UR, can be combined with a commercial surfactant, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT), to produce surfactants with low interfacial tensions against various oils. These highly surface-active formulations were shown to be useful in the removal of bitumen from contaminated sand. RAS and MP showed potential as protein-based wood adhesives. These sources were used in adhesive formulations to produce a strong bond strength under low-pressure, ambient pressing conditions.